Know Your Opponent: Fresno FC

By Myles Bridgewater-Jackman, 06/30/18, 10:15AM PDT

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Refresh your knowledge on Fresno FC

After meeting just two weeks ago at Chukchansi Park for their first USL regular season game, Fresno FC and Sacramento Republic FC rematch this Saturday as the Quails look to replicate their recent victory over the Foxes.

Ahead of Saturday’s game, reacquaint yourself with Fresno FC.

2018 Season So far

A 1-0 shutout by Republic FC on June 13 moved Fresno FC’s record to 3-5-7 on the season. Following the loss, the Foxes got back on track with a 4-1 win over Swope Park Rangers, led by goals from four different players. However, after the victory, Fresno suffered another pair of 1-0 shutouts, dropping their line to 4-7-7 as of Tuesday evening. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC bested the expansion team at Weidner Field with an 86th minute game-winner from Shane Malcolm, before first-place Real Monarchs FC rode an 8th minute goal from Andrew Brody to down Fresno 1-0. Coming into Saturday’s match the Foxes sit four points under the line, as well as behind Colorado Springs, in 11th place within the Western Conference.

Home & Away Splits

Fresno FC has fared better at home this season, earning points in seven of nine played at Chukchansi Park (3-2-4), where they’ve picked up a majority of their points (13). Most FFC’s losses have come on the road (1-5-3) and the Foxes have managed to pick up points in fewer than half of their away games in 2018.

Player to Watch

Former Republic FC player Christian Chaney has proved a bright spot for Fresno FC in recent weeks despite the team’s skid of three shutout losses in their past four games. The 25-year-old forward, who appeared in nine games for Republic FC in 2017, proved the Man of the Match for Fresno in a 4-1 Father’s Day defeat of Swope Park Rangers. Chaney had only scored one goal all season entering the match, but found the back of the net in the fourth minute before assisting on the Foxes’ second goal of the game. In the 23rd minute, Chaney crossed a ball in to former Republic FC player Danny Barrera who received the ball, cut back and buried his shot from the penalty spot, doubling the squad’s margin over Swope Park. Chaney has now collected two goals and an assist through 15 appearances this season (five starts).

Last time they MEt

Despite sweltering conditions at kickoff, Republic FC froze Fresno’s offense in the teams’ first-ever regular season match earlier this month at Chukchansi Park. Luis Espino’s first first-half goal proved all the scoring that SRFC would require as the visitors picked up three points on the road with a 1-0 shutout. Espino’s conversion came in the 37th minute as the 20-year-old midfielder capitalized on a rebounded shot by Jure Matjasic. Matjasic’s strike, which was denied by Fresno’s goalkeeper, trickled back out to Espino who was able to tap home the lone goal of the game.

Saturday’S MATCH

Republic FC will aim to replicate their recent success against Fresno FC on Saturday with a road win, which would allow the Sacramento squad to close the distance on Phoenix Rising FC in the Western Conference standings. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.

Updates will be provided via Twitter at @SacRepublicFC or using #FRSvSAC.